Movie director Henry Cornelius dies

Date: 3 May 1958
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The South African born British film director and scriptwriter, Henry Cornelius, died unexpectedly during the production of the crime comedy "Law and Disorder" in 1958. Charles Crichton saw the film to its completion. Cornelius studied under Max Reinhardt and worked with Rene Clair and Alexander Korda before returning to SA in 1940, where he produced several films for General Smuts's pro-war propaganda campaign. Cornelius also made several feature films, which suggested a gift for characterisation and detail and considerable flair for light comedy. His best known efforts are the refreshingly fanciful "Passport to Pimlico" in 1949 and the outstanding lighthearted "Genevieve" in 1953.

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01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

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South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Movie director Henry Cornelius dies. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851

South African History Online (2011) 'Movie director Henry Cornelius dies', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851 (Accessed: 21 September 2026).

South African History Online, Movie director Henry Cornelius dies [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851, (accessed 21 September 2026).

"Movie director Henry Cornelius dies." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851. Accessed 21 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "Movie director Henry Cornelius dies." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011851.